Top 5 Kids Apps

Why we like it: The name says it all -- this crossword puzzle app contains 48 crosswords with more than 300 word in different categories including animals, food, clothes, and colors. Each puzzle is leveled, and the design is very clean. A color coding system is used for hints, which are available at any time.

Need to know: You can't unlock the harder levels until you solve each puzzle, which could slow children down. Also, the letters tend to float above your finger letting you see what you're doing. This makes sense, but takes some getting used to.

Why we like it: This free app (with ads) is easy to start playing, and hard to stop. The goal is to connect large colored dots by drawing a line. The trick is that the lines can't cross. The design supports trial and error.

Need to know: This is one of those -- the better you do, the harder it is to stop playing. Consider yourself warned.

Why we like it: Solving mazes is one of those activities that never grows old, especially when it is so easy to get a hint, or jump to a harder level at any time. This well-designed collection of mazes is an excellent addtion to a preschool or early elementary app collection.

Need to know: Sometimes your finger blocks the maze in the harder levels. It would be nice to be able to mute the sound. Because each maze is generated on the fly, there's never a repeat.

Why we like it: This is a side-scrolling timing game that requires fine motor skills to get through a level. As a rain cloud drifts over a meadow, you turn on or off the rain, to make flower grow (or rain on a picnic). The better your timing, the higher your score, and the more goodies you can unlock.

Need to know: This app wouldn't load on an iPad 2. Also, if the music gets annoying (and it can), you can turn it off in the information menu.

Why we like it: From Thinkfun, the creators of the original Rush Hour game, comes a well designed touch screen version with slide-to-park interactivity. The goal is to arrange a set of tightly parked cars in order to get one car (colored red) through the parking lot exit. The challenges take a lot of trial and error, and the overall experience is excellent for testing your spatial problem solving ability.

Need to know: There are 2500 games and four levels in all, and the game remembers your current level. Other smart features include an instant undo, a hint, and the ability to replay a level, letting you retrace your steps through the puzzle. Warning, once you start, you won't be able to stop.

Ease of use: 8/10

Educational: 10/10

Entertaining: 10/10

This week's apps have a theme: temporal and spatial relations logic puzzles. Flip through the gallery above to see which of the apps — filled with mazes, puzzles and more — your kids will have a blast exploring.

The folks over at Children's Technology Review shared with us these 5 top apps from their comprehensive monthly database of kid-tested reviews. The site covers everything from math and counting to reading and phonics.

Check back next week for more Top Kids Apps from Children's Technology Review.

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